In Focus: Magic Mitoma has stellar Seagulls soaring

Brighton attacker Kaoru Mitoma has shot to prominence under Roberto De Zerbi this season.

The Japan international joined the club in the summer of 2021 but was initially loaned out to Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise. 

He was eased into the fold this term, before a remarkable showing in his first Premier League start against Chelsea secured a regular spot in the Seagulls' first XI. 

Ahead of the South Coast side's FA Cup clash with Liverpool, we take a look at why the 25-year-old has proved to be a ready-made replacement for January departure Leandro Trossard.

Taking responsibility

Mitoma scored a stunning opener in Brighton's last outing — a 2-2 draw at Leicester. 

The winger explained after the match against the Foxes that, under De Zerbi, he has been tasked with getting on the scoresheet more regularly. 

He said: "Wide players have to get involved in goals given our tactics, and that has instilled greater consciousness in me about scoring. 

"I'm always looking for that sort of chance. My pre-match feeling was also good. I could relax as I had space and the shot found a nice gap."

Delivering goals

The Seagulls' No22 has clearly taken his manager's directive to heart. 

His strike against Leicester was his fourth Premier League goal of the season in just 747 minutes — and all four have been scored from open play. 

That tally works out at 0.48 open play goals per 90 minutes — placing him inside the division's top 10 players this term. 

Intriguingly, Trossard's record stands at 0.47, proving Mitoma is capable of replacing the Belgian's goals as Brighton chase European qualification.

Mazy Mitoma

Mitoma has been no slouch in the goals department but his dribbling numbers have been even more impressive. 

The 13-cap international has attempted 3.86 take-ons per 90, completing a superb 2.29. 

Allan Saint-Maximin and Said Benrahma are the only two players in the division who complete more take-ons per game — and both attempt far more than the livewire wide man. 

Mitoma's mazy runs down the wing are not just entertaining, they are efficient too — manoeuvring the Kawasaki native into dangerous positions, from which he can make decisive contributions.

Creative Kaoru

Mitoma's well-rounded skill set is demonstrated by his capacity to create high-quality chances in addition to his dribbling and goalscoring exploits. 

The former Kawasaki Frontale talent has created big chances at the same rate as he has scored goals in the Premier League, registering four for a rate of 0.48 per 90. 

He has, so far, been rewarded with just one assist — but if he continues to supply opportunities of this calibre, that number is likely to go up. 

The range of Mitoma's offensive qualities make him difficult to predict and therefore challenging to defend against, with opponents unable to reliably ascertain if he will pass or shoot. 

He is a different profile of player to the man he is replacing, Trossard, who had played closer to goal this season — and was tasked with scoring more than creating or dragging his side up the field.

Team player

An aspect of Trossard's game that Mitoma will have to replicate, however, is his pressing work from the front. 

The Belgian is winning possession an exceptional 1.35 times in the attacking third per 90. 

But Mitoma has acquitted himself well in this regard so far, recording a strong tally of 1.08 per game, which is inside the division's top 20 players. 

Despite the departure of their star man to title-chasing Arsenal, Mitoma's sudden ascendancy means Brighton remain on track this term — evidence that validates their forward-thinking approach in the transfer market.